Frequently Asked Questions about Books by Mail
Who can use Books by Mail?
You can use the Books by Mail service if you are a resident of Halifax Regional Municipality and:
- You live in an area not currently served by a branch.
- You have no access to car or public transit to get to a branch
- You have a disability or illness that keeps you at home for six weeks or more
- There are conditions which prevent driving or carrying
- You have limited mobility or health issues
- There is no Home Delivery Service available in area
- You have caregiver responsibilities preventing use of a local library during open hours
If you aren’t sure if you can get Books by Mail service, please call 490-5599 or 1-800-565-4414 (long distance calls only, please).
Can I join
temporarily?
Yes, you can use Books by Mail during the winter, but use
branches in the summer when it’s easier to get around.
How much does it
cost?
Books by Mail is free. Books will be mailed with a
postage-paid return mailing label. This label can be found at the front of one
book. The library postage rate is subsidized by federal taxes, which allows us
to send books at a relatively low cost to the library.
Can I get DVDs, CDs
or magazines?
The library postage rate only covers books, so we are unable
to send out DVDs, CDs or magazines. If you have access to a computer and the Internet,
you can download eBooks, audiobooks and videos.
How long can I borrow
materials?
Materials go out for three weeks, including mailing time.
You may renew your items twice, as long as no one is waiting for them.
How do I request
materials?
Requesting materials through Books by Mail is easy. You have
three options:
- Place your own holds using Discover, the new catalogue. Select Books by Mail as your pickup location.
- Contact staff directly at 490-5599 or email and they will gladly make the request for you.
- Complete one of the request forms sent to you with each delivery.
Do I have to pay long
distance charges to call the Books by Mail office?
For long distance, you can call toll-free at
1-800-565-4414. You can also contact the Books by Mail staff via email.
What if I have a
small mailbox?
Let staff know and they will send small packages only.
What if my books
become overdue, or even lost?
You are not charged overdue fines for anything sent to you
from Books by Mail; however, you are responsible for the materials you borrow.
Replacement costs are charged for lost and damaged materials, and service may
be suspended to anyone with outstanding charges for lost or damaged items.
What happens if my
book goes missing in the mail?
If this happens, we will get in touch with you to see if we
can track the package through Canada Post.
Can I still use
another library in HRM?
You can use your library card to borrow from any branch of Halifax
Public Libraries.
Please note that you cannot use the postage-paid envelopes to return items that were borrowed at branches. Those items must be returned to a branch. The library pays return postage only for items that are borrowed via Books by Mail; however, you can return your Books by Mail materials to the Mobile Library or a branch.
Overdue fines would apply to anything not returned in time.
I live outside of Halifax
Regional Municipality.
Can I receive Books-By-Mail?
Our Books-By-Mail Service is limited to residents of Halifax Regional Municipality.
Please contact your Regional Library system to see if you can join their books
by mail service.
More questions? Please call us at 490-5599 or toll-free at 1-800-565-4414 (long distance calls only, please), to talk to a friendly staff member. You can also email the staff at Books by Mail
